Bringing the “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” atmosphere to downtown Huntington.
By Jean Hardiman
HQ 110 | WINTER 2018
They wanted their hometown to have its own version of Cheers. That atmosphere — where everyone is a on a first-name basis and feels at home — that’s what inspired Allison White to open SIP Wine Bar at Heritage Station in Huntington in 2012. She’s had help in the business venture from her partner Ray Frye, and together this year they followed it up by opening TAPS nearby.
“Allison has done so many wonderful things to improve SIP over the past year, we felt adding a craft beer location in such close proximity would enhance the overall experience of Heritage Station,” Frye said, a veteran who served as a combat medic during Desert Storm and also a former Columbus business executive. “It’s not always about how many taps you have at your facility. We wanted to provide a quaint, clean atmosphere with lots of personality and warmth to go along with our menu. Giving people options is always a good thing and recognizing the synergies between the two locations has been perceived very well at this point.”
For White, SIP was an opportunity to combine two of her strengths — business and food. She earned both an accounting degree and Master of Business Administration from Marshall University before deciding there was another interest she needed to pursue.
“After working in the area for a few years, my passion for food took me to Charlotte, North Carolina, where I graduated from Johnson and Wales Culinary Arts Program and attained some wine certifications along the way,” the 36-year-old Huntington High graduate said.
“Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked in tax and corporate accounting and owned my own catering business. So, when the opportunity to take over SIP Wine Bar came about, I was excited to combine all of my past experiences into my own business.”
She’s added whiskey to SIP’s offerings and changed the name to SIP Wine and Whiskey Bar, which came along as a natural progression, White said. Getting to also provide the community with craft beer in a growler station atmosphere is just another perfect opportunity to enhance their hometown, she said.
“We love the idea of having an intimate space that folks can come to, hang out with friends or just come solo and chat with the friendly bartenders,” White said. “We also are excited about hosting events such as charity nights, tastings and scavenger hunts, to give our patrons unique and fun evenings out on the town.”
Having both lived in larger cities, White and Frye said they’re committed to Huntington.
“I think we both feel the city is worth investing in,” said Frye, 44, and a graduate of Huntington East High School. “The town has a black eye right now, but there are so many other things we do right around here. You can’t turn your back and focus on the negative all the time. We’ve dug our heels in and plan to stick it out to see the city rebound.”
“My older brother and his wife are on the ‘front lines,’ working in a local emergency department here in Huntington. I admire them very much,” Frye said.
Frye works in the health information field with the state of West Virginia, along with running the two establishments with White, who is his partner both in business and in life. They also stay busy with their blended family, which includes a 4-month-old daughter and pair of twin girls.
Outside of work, Frye and White are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce. Frye also teaches indoor cycling and yoga and Brown Dog Yoga, also located in Heritage Station and they spend much of their time with family.
“I have incredible children that I adore, and can’t think of anything better than being a dad,” Frye said.
Both are happy to be working toward progress in the Tri-State.
“We are both from Huntington and want to see the area grow and prosper,” White said. “Both of us have lived in big cities and we see the draw. However, Huntington has the small town atmosphere with fun and unique things to do, and great places to drink and eat. We just want to be a part of it.”
SIP Wine & Whiskey Bar
210 11th Street Suite #2
Huntington
(304) 523-5533
